Sit-ins affect supply, demand position: significant increase registered in prices of food items

Prices of perishable and non-perishable food items registered significant increase during last month as compared to the preceding month, revealed a survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Saturday. The survey observed increase in entire range of perishable and non-perishable food items during the period under review, including milk, yogurt, sugar, ghee/cocking oil, flour, meat, eggs, soap, vegetables and fruits prices.
Traders and wholesalers in different markets of the twin cities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad said that some kitchen items registered an increase of up to 20-30 percent during the period under review, which is mainly attributed to the short supply and the on-going anti-government 'Azadi' and 'Inqilab' marches of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), respectively, as protesters thronged to the federal capital, creating a huge gap between supply and demand.
According to traders and wholesalers, the government blocked some roads to counter the anti-government marches during this period and supply remained suspended. Taking full advantage of the situations, hoarders and profiteers created artificial shortage and increased kitchen items prices manifolds making it more difficult for common man to buy them, while there was no check and balance as the government was busy in handling PTI and PAT marches and Dharnas, they added.
It was observed that packed milk which was at Rs 99 per liter in July increased to Rs 110 registering an increase of Rs 11 per liter, while loose milk price also increased by Rs 5-10 per kg in different markets during the month of August. Tea prices increased by Rs 2-3 per pack, while Rs 10-20 per kg, flour price increased by Rs 2-3 per kg, while Roti/Naan (bread) prices increased by Rs 1-2 during the period under review. Sugar prices increased by Rs 5 per kg, ghee/cocking oil by Rs 3-5 per kg/liter, eggs prices by Rs 8-10 per dozen, while meat by Rs 20-30 per kg during last one month.
According to traders, vegetables and fruits prices normally declined during this time of the year, however during last one month substantial increase was observed in vegetables prices. The survey observed that tomato price increased from Rs 50-60 per kg to Rs 100 per kg, potato from Rs 60 per kg to Rs 80-90 per kg, onion from Rs 50-60 per kg to Rs 70-80 per kg, cucumber from Rs 50 per kg to Rs 100 per kg, Shimla Mirch from Rs 70-80 per kg to Rs 120-130 per kg, while carrot from Rs 60 per kg to Rs 80 per kg during the period under review.
Meat was being sold at different rates in the twin cities, as mutton was being sold at Rs 640-660 per kg against Rs 620-640 per kg, while beef was available at Rs 370-420 per kg against Rs 360-400 per kg. Rice prices remained firm as super colonel was available at Rs 140-155 while basmati at Rs 80-120 per kg during this period. Pulses prices also remained stable during this period as no significant changes were observed in prices during this period.
During the month past fruits prices also increased substantially as banana (Pakistani banana) was available at Rs 80-120 per dozen against Rs 60-100 per dozen while banana (Indian banana) at Rs 200-220 per dozen against Rs 160-180 per dozen, mango was available at Rs 80-120 per kg against Rs 60-100 per kg, guava at Rs 80-100 per kg and apple at Rs 100-200 per kg against Rs 80-180 per kg depending on quality.